Isturitz-Oxocelhaya Caves, Isturits, Bayonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Francei

Regional Level Types
Isturitz-Oxocelhaya Caves	Group of Caves
Isturits	Commune
Bayonne	Arrondissement
Pyrénées-Atlantiques	Department
Nouvelle-Aquitaine	Region
France	Country

The Isturitz-Oxocelhaya caves are located at the NW foot of the Pyrenees Range, in the municipal territories of Isturitz (Isturits) and Saint-Martin-d’Arberoue.

The Gatzelu Hill (209 m a.s.l) is built of Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) limestones surrounded by marls and appearing as a rocky spur blocking the Arberoue Valley. The homonymous river crossed the Gatzelu Hill forming through-caves and leaving fluvial sediments within them. Four tiers are arranged over an altitudinal range of 75 m, the lowest one, known as Erberua, still active. The caves were once intensively used as shelters by animals, mainly bears and bats, and by humans since the Middle Paleolithic, as shown by major art testimonies such as paintings and engravings. Also, guano and phosphates were intensively mined during the second half of the 19th century. After being classified as a Historical Monument in 1953 and opened as a show cave, all its entrances were closed. The main entrance to the Isturitz level is located in the municipal territory of Isturitz (see coordinates), while a second entrance is located on the opposite side of the Gatzelu Hill (municipal territory of Saint-Martin-d’Arberoue). An artificial tunnel allows the connection of the Isturitz upper level with the Oxocelhaya middle level.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References